MERUS Adventure Park is a haven for exploration and setting for the Second Annual AdventureHER All-Women’s Off-Road Challenge

When I received a message asking me if I wanted to represent OutdoorX4 at a women’s off-roading event taking place at MERUS Adventure Park located in Palo Duro Canyon in Claude-Texas, I took about 5 seconds to answer “YES”. I mean, what’s there to think about? I drive a lifted Jeep Wrangler, though most of my off-roading has been the means to access remote trailheads on rough roads in Colorado where I live. I wasn’t sure how an event would be different from bouncing around Rocky Mountains, but I wanted to find out.

The intent was for me to participate as an observer – ride along with the guides, take notes, snap some photos, then come home and write about it. All that changed the minute I arrived at MERUS Adventure Park. As I’m waiting to check in, a steady stream of envy worthy modified rigs made their entrance, all of them driven by talented and very capable women, as I was going to witness firsthand over the next three days. One thing became immediately clear – there was no way I could sit on the sidelines. Although I had never wheeled with a group before, I had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into and I wanted to be part of the awesomeness going on all around me. After I had setup camp (MERUS offers several camping and glamping options), it was time to head to the welcome reception, where I had the opportunity to meet some of the friendly staff, event volunteers and fellow participants. This was my first-time visiting Texas (that one time flying in and out of Houston for a business meeting doesn’t really count), so I was a little nervous about fitting in.

MERUS Adventure Park was founded by Dirk Van Reenen in 2021 when he could no longer find satisfaction in his corporate job and felt a strong calling to create an establishment that would “nourish the adventurous spirit”. He shared the story of MERUS (Latin for pure/undiluted) in vivid detail on our last night around the campfire. This was the 2nd annual AdventureHER, a 3-day event just for women. AdventureHER draws women off-roading enthusiasts from all walks of life and offers something for every skill level, with trails from Green to Double Black (difficulty ratings similar to ski runs). There is even a clinic offered during the event through MERUS educational programs called STAGE5 Offroad Academy, that provides valuable knowledge and helps build skills and confidence. One does not need to wait for an event to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of MERUS Adventure Park 7500+ acres of usable land. It is open year-round and offers camping, hiking, backpacking, caving, mountain biking and guided or self-guided off-roading tours.

After some introductions and welcoming words from our event organizers, it was time for us to choose what kind of adventure we were going to endure over the next two. Since we were going to benefit from the support and guidance of the many staff, trail guides and event volunteers, many of the participants chose to stretch beyond their comfort zone, giving themselves an opportunity to safely tackle situations and obstacles they otherwise wouldn’t consider. Given I was supposed to observe and take photos in addition to keeping my wheels on the trails, I decided it would be best if I joined an intermediate level group. (That … and perhaps being a little too scared to commit to anything more.) So, I put my name down in the “Blue” column, met Micah – our patient and knowledgeable trail guide – and my new teammates, and after we chose our trail name (Blue Belles) and got some general instructions about the next day, I headed back to camp for some sleep. Morning couldn’t have come soon enough as nerves, excitement, and the wind flapping my tent kept me up for most of the night.

In the morning, after getting some warm nourishment (breakfast and dinner was catered for the event), we lined up our rigs behind the signs indicating our chosen difficulty level (Green, Blue, Dark Blue, Black). After some safety checks and airing down our tires (if you didn’t have the necessary equipment, there were plenty of people willing to help), we started driving and followed our guide to the nearby “test track”. I had no idea what that entailed but everyone’s excitement was palpable so I knew it was going to be good.

After we lined up the 80+ vehicles for a group photo that made it feel like we were protagonists in a Hollywood movie, it was time to find out what we were made of. 4Low, Sway bar disconnected, here we go!

The obstacles started out mild enough but progressively became more difficult as we went on. Although I never felt unsafe, at some point I did question my sanity. There were plenty of opportunities to exit the track but with helpful and knowledgeable staff spotting for us, coaching us, and guiding us at every corner, I felt this was a perfect opportunity to push past my self-imposed limits. After several instances mumbling to myself, “I can’t believe my Jeep just did that,” I came to a fork in the track: left to exit, right to keep going. I went right though all I could see were vehicles suddenly dropping over the edge, just to see them reappear climbing up a seemingly impossible, steep wall several minutes later.

Eventually it was my turn to go! I drive to the edge and I instantly began to regret my decision. OH, HELL NO! I’m supposed to crawl down a steep wall into a deep pit, then somehow get myself out on the other side. There were several cameras pointing at me, drones flying overhead, smiling staff spotting me and waiving me forward so as I saw it, I had two choices to make: footage of me dying or footage of me chickening out. Dying it was! Spoiler alert: I didn’t ever come close to dying, but I did get to use my lockers for the first time.

As the experience continued, I learned so much about completing the track and about my capabilities and that of my Jeep. After all, this is one of AdventureHER’s main goals: to create a safe, supportive environment where women can expand their knowledge and skills without fear of judgement. We spent the rest of the day riding down into the canyon, running some trails and doing some more awesome things I’d never have the confidence to do on my own. When we all got together that evening for dinner and story time, the smiles on everyone’s faces made it clear we all had an amazing day. One of the big surprises for me was the constant encouragement and support the participating women (guides and attendees) gave each other. It was relentless. “You can do it!” “I’m proud of you!” “You are such a badass!” The next day, we got to ride beautiful trails again, stopped for lunch and enjoying the views from beautiful overlooks.

By the time it was all over, it was abundantly clear the event organizers achieved their goals and then some, as everyone I talked to vowed to attend future AdventureHER events, me included. So many women shared how three days of adventuring was the perfect escape from a job, family obligations and the general demands of life. On the last morning there, I had breakfast, broke down camp and packed my Jeep, hugged everyone I ran into, and reluctantly drove off waving goodbye to founders Dirk and Pete and already planning my next grand adventure at MERUS.

Editor Note: If you’re interested in learning more and participating in 2025, since the writing of this experience MERUS Adventure Park has announced the next AdventureHER event will take place May 1 – 4, 2025.

OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible vehicle-based adventure travel and outdoors adventure